Biography

Born to an Indian father and a Japanese mother at Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi in Japan, Izumi came over to India and chose to play for East Bengal in 2006. He then moved to Mahindra United in 2007 and later joined Pune FC where he rose to captain the side in the I-League. Arata’s professional career took root in Singapore in 2005 with Albirex Nigata and soon earned a reputation for his speedy movements. After the Singapore experience, Arata returned to Japan to join Mitsubishi Motors Muzushima FC in the 2006 J-League.

In the August of 2012, he achieved his cherished dream of gaining Indian citizenship. He made his debut for India in 2013. He was also a member of the national team for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup and the 2013 SAFF Championship. Arata was taken on board by Atlético de Kolkata for a sum of Rs 68 lakh in the Hero ISL 2015 auction. He scored five times and provided one assist for ATK in Hero ISL 2015 and is set to be reunited with former coach Antonio Habas in Hero ISL 2016 after the Spaniard was appointed as the Stallions’ new head coach earlier this year.

Career highlights

First foreign-born to ever play for India when he debuted in 2013

Started professional football in 2005 in Singapore and went on to play for Indian and Japanese clubs